How to Hang a Curtain With Wire

by Rebecca Mecomber

Whether you're opting for a quick and easy window treatment or you just need a simple, decorative room divider, suspending a curtain by wire lends a relaxed look to a room. To prevent the curtain from sagging, use a special high-tension wire called aircraft cable. Anchor the cable to screw hooks, and include a turnbuckle or two for adjusting the cable's tension as needed.

1

Use the stud finder to locate the two wall studs where you want to hang the curtain. Mark both side edges of each stud with a pencil. Measure down from the ceiling (or up from the floor) and mark the desired height for the cable at each stud location.

2

Drill a pilot hole into the center of each stud at the height mark, then drive a heavy-duty screw hook into the stud. The screw hook should have coarse threads designed for wood, much like a lag screw. Once you get the screw started, you can use an adjustable wrench or large tongue-and-groove pliers for leverage to drive the screw.

3

Measure the distance between the hooks and add about 12 inches to this measurement. Cut a length of aircraft cable to this dimension, using wire cutters.

4

Loop one end of the cable to create a tail about 7 inches long. Use two or more wire rope clips to secure the loop, tightening the clips with a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench. Hang the looped end over one of the the hooks installed on the wall.

5

Loosen the turnbuckle so its threaded ends are fully extended. Hook one end of the turnbuckle onto the remaining wall hook. Thread the loose end of the cable through the free end of the turnbuckle, pull the cable taut, and secure it with wire rope clips, as before. Trim any excess cable with the wire cutters. Tighten the turnbuckle to create the desired level of tension on the cable.

6

Install the rings or hooks onto the curtain and hang the curtain onto the cable. If the curtain sags, tighten the turnbuckle as needed.

Things You Will Need

Stud finder

Measuring tape

Drill and piloting bit

Heavy-duty screw hooks

Adjustable wrench

Aircraft cable

Wire cutters

Wire rope clips

Screwdriver

Turnbuckle

Curtain rings or hooks

Tip

Aircraft cable is available in standard galvanized steel, vinyl-coated steel, and stainless steel.

To install a curtain directly onto the cable, feed the cable through the curtain's loops or pocket before securing the cable to the turnbuckle. Choose vinyl-coated cable to prevent discoloration of the curtain's fabric.

If your curtain extends over a space 12 feet or more, install a turnbuckle on each end of the wall for better tension control.

Warning

If your curtains are extremely heavy, screw the eye hooks into wall studs. Toggle bolt anchors are very strong, but they may not hold up with very heavy curtains spanning a wide area.

About the Author

Rebecca Mecomber, a former radio broadcaster, has been a professional blogger and writer since 2006. Her articles and interviews have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal," Salon.com and several other publications, covering topics such as Federal Trade Commission policy and media regulations, blogging, home improvement and New York travel.

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